Word
gruff
US/ˈɡɹəf/
UK/ɡɹˈʌf/
Definition
adj. having a rough, deep voice or a rough, hard surface. You use this to describe someone who is not friendly or a texture that feels scratchy.
adj. having a harsh, deep, or rasping voice; also describes a rough, uneven, or coarse surface. Often used to characterize a person's temperament as unkind or abrupt.
Examples
“The old man spoke in a gruff voice.”
“The mechanic had a gruff exterior, but he was actually very kind and helpful once you got to know him.”
“The gruff texture of the sandpaper made it difficult to apply the paint evenly, requiring the artist to switch to a finer grit for the final finish.”
Examples
simple
“The old man spoke in a gruff voice.”
contextual
“The mechanic had a gruff exterior, but he was actually very kind and helpful once you got to know him.”
complex
“The gruff texture of the sandpaper made it difficult to apply the paint evenly, requiring the artist to switch to a finer grit for the final finish.”
Etymology
16th century, from Dutch grof and/or Middle Low German grof (both “rough, coarse, rude”), from Old Dutch grof or Old Saxon grof, both from Proto-West Germanic grob, from Proto-Germanic grubaz (“coarse, rough”), possibly from an earlier gahrubaz and then related with hreubaz (“scabby, rough, scrubby”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian groaf (“rough, coarse, crude”), West Frisian grof (“rough, coarse, crude”), Low German groff (“rough, coarse, crude”), German grob (“rough, coarse, crude”), Swedish grov (“rough, coarse, crude”).
Perhaps related to Dutch grof (“rough, coarse”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/gruff